Becky put this on my Facebook page early this morning:
Clever, isn’t she?
We began with a trip to the municipal dump, now upgraded to Efford Recycling Centre. Included in the rubbish we took there was a green plastic table we had bought from there in the first place. The Head Gardener, now she has a shed, has no further use for it. I got quite excited when I thought this might be the first time we would leave the tip without making a purchase. This was not to be, for Jackie spotted a hanging window box and just had to buy it.
Off we then drove to Highcliffe, and our old favourite, Fergusson’s, in search of a suitable chest of drawers to double as a work surface and storage for packets of seeds, tools, ties, plant labels, and almost anything else you can think of. Elsa and Boyce produced the very thing, that would probably have got the Bargain Hunt experts very excited. This addictive televised antiques programme involves two pairs of punters shopping in normal retail outlets in the hope of making a profit at auction. We have learned that G-plan, the iconic furniture of the ’50s and ’60s, is in at the moment. The Ercol piece that we found would definitely have been in the money. But we weren’t going to auction, and Dad, Dave Fergusson, accompanied by Elsa, delivered it for us and helped me place it in the shed.
This friendly family firm is to be recommended.
Jackie had already begun to make herself at home.
Dave had first delivered furniture to us last May, when the garden was still a jungle. He and Elsa went on an amazed and delighted tour. He asked for a notification when we open to the public. Here is a selection from what he saw today:
From the bed by the wisteria, this small pink rose has a good view of the new acquisition.
This is the view along the outside of the kitchen window. The rose above lies in the bed at the end.
Obscured by the planting in the centre background, the dragon stands on a concrete plinth. This is his view through to the urn and beyond.
Near the start of the brick path, geraniums and Japanese maple form a pleasing swirl;
and a different variety of geranium hangs at one end of the Phantom Path.
A concrete building block lifts a pot of pink petunias taking us across another section of the Brick Path.
We also walked along the Pergola Path. Like any of the others, this view changes daily.
In the new rose garden, Kent is now in bloom.
At the far south end of the garden, passion flowers cling to the support arches we erected last year, and clematis Margaret Hunt ascends those Jackie fixed in her new boxes at the start of the back drive.
This evening we dined at Lal Quilla, where we enjoyed the usual ambiance, service, food, and Kingfisher. I chose Purple Tiger and Jackie chose Navrattan Korma. We shared lemon rice and a naan, and both drank Kingfisher.
Sigh. Your garden. Sigh again. Beautiful. Sigh. Retreats to plastic lawn chair with a bottle of domestic (Molson Canadian). Sigh.
Many thanks redosue
PS. Happy birthday!
Thanks
Happy birthday Derrick !
Thank you Sylvie
Happy Birthday from me too! And I am beginning to detect a plot (a veiled garden plot). First it was the garden shed, and then… as expected… pink is imperceptibly beginning to dominate the surrounds.
Oh yes Sir, Any sign of male encroachment in the shed, and I shall be forced to resort to frilly curtains, and the shed get a pink paint job.
😀 LOL!
Such a garden! Happy Birthday too.
Thank you steVe
Happy B’day Derrick. ..
Thank you, Chitra
Happy Birthday Derrick! I like Becky’s photo upgrade too. 🙂 I’ve been waiting for the ‘Open to the Public’ announcement to be made – the garden is looking quite, quite spectacular!!
Thank you Pauline
Happiest of birthdays and many happy returns. Of course, given the time here, your celebrations are over. Love the shed. Very exciting to furnish it, especially from folks excited by your garden.
Many thanks, Lisa
Happy Birthday to you!
That chest of drawers was such a good find, I’m suffering from drawer envy …
Thanks, Yvonne
Felicitations on the occasion of your natal anniversary! Remember:
“Age is not important, unless you are a cheese.”
Anon.
Thank you Cynthia; witty as ever
“Or wine.”
Yvonne
That too, Yvonne
Happy Birthday … and I hope you had a wonderful day!
Many thanks Frank
Well, Happy Day of Eearth Birth to you. Looks like all is well and then some! The last two flowers are a delight-I do love them both. Sad…that I cannot mosey along the garden paths when opened to all. Viewing from across the Puddle, however, is good in all weather and states of mind. 🙂
Thank you Cynthia
Happy Birthday!! Things look more beautiful there every day. Nice convenience, that garden shed. Attractive too
Thank you Cynthia
No doubt you celebrated with style 🙂 Can’t wait to see the floor plan for the shed:) You can’t have enough shelves or drawers. Good to see the sunshine and the colours but I love the Kent.
Thank you, Mary
Spectacular is the right description for the garden. Looking at the big view gave me a whole new idea of its scope. By now, your birthday is over, so I’ll wish you a fabulous coming year.
Ginene
Many thanks, Ginene
Happy birthday, Derrick. Your garden is so very different to our acre of undulating, poorly-drained ex-meadow, where the holes dug by the dogs are big enough for the rear wheels of the ride-on mower to sink in and numerous enough to resemble a minefield in the middle of a war zone, and the molehills, while seeming to aim for the Guinness Book of Records, are still outnumbered by mouse-holes!
More power to you, my friend.
Many thanks, Keith
Wow – who is this pretty young man????!!!!!! 🙂 And Happy birthday from Bavaria!
Many thanks for both the compliment and the good wishes
Happy Birthday! I hope you’ll be partaking of some cake in the shed …
He can, but only if he asks very nicely and doesn’t drop any crumbs.
Ah yes, hello Jackie. I think you’re very wise. Come to think of it, a woman’s shed is her castle – we all should have one to retreat to.
Thank you, Jenny
happy birthday, and as Arnold Schwarzenegger said in the movie “Terminator” OLD BUT NOT OBSOLETE
;D
Many thanks, Marlyn
Hope you had a great birthday Derrick! 🙂
I did, thank you
It is all coming together perfectly – the ideal English garden and working gardener’s shed. Recycling is the only way to go here, it even adds some nostalgia.
Many thanks GP
D clicks f gardens n flowers u post in ur every blogs r really very beautiful along with d blog.
Thank you
Happiest of days to you, Derrick! And now I will try to find you on facebook.
Your garden truly is remarkable. Not just in itself, but also in the speed of its transformation. Now, you must tell me about the dragon. I can’t spot it. Have you posted photos previously? Dragons are my totem, and I collect them when I can – even if only an image. 🙂
Thank you Crystal. You’ll find the dragon on this one: http://derrickjknight.com/2015/06/22/portraits-from-1982-1986/
Best wishes for your birthday Derrick! For a thirty five year old, I must say your hair has turned early, what? 🙂
Do hope you had a great day!
And yes! When do you open to the public? 🙂
Colourful shed and all! 🙂
Thank you Rob. Actually, when I was about 35, a cry was heard in the scrum (2nd row forward) ; ‘Get the old bloke’
Ha ha! Hope you showed ’em!
Ha ha! Hope you showed ’em!
We have 2 2nd row forwards now still playing for the Springboks! Victor Matfield & Bakkies Botha – both over 35! amazing!
I was never in their class, but I did play until I was 45
Wow Derrick! Way to go! No wonder the knee needed a little attention?
Respect to you!
Thanks, Rob. Maybe it was the cricket, or long distance running – or all 3 🙂
Yes. Knees often tell the tale of a sportsman’s life well lived! 🙂
Hope to open next June
Happy Birthday, Derrick! I really enjoyed the garden tour – thank you for sharing it with us all.
Thank you Peggy
Happy Birthday! I love the new shed furniture for the head gardener. Your garden always looks so stunning!
Many thanks Matt
My word, I’m so repetitive, but heavens! I adore your garden! I can’t imagine possessing such a fine bit of paradise.
Thank you Kate
Happy Birthday, Mr. Knight!
Shining sky, flowers bright.
A crown to place upon your head:
Just don’t forget: it’s Jackie’s shed!
Loud laughter over here. Thank you Claire Marie
(-:
Happy Birthday! I absolutely love that chest of drawers – such fun, bright colors.
The flowers … gorgeous!
Many thanks Laurie
Was it your birthday? Happy belated birthday, Derrick! 🙂 Lovely photos, as always and the shed… I’m envious…
It was. Thank you Julie
Happy birthday Derrick – wishing you a beautiful year ahead. That lovely cabinet would be perfect for my studio, Jackie is very lucky!!
Thank you, Mary
What a way of keeping the Creator’s creations! Just out of this world. :))
Thank you Harbans
My gratitude sir. :))
great look! 🙂 bilere
Thank you, Bilere
D, I’m not sure which looks more wonderful. You or the garden.
Thank you on both counts, Holistic